In the tumultuous era of China’s last emperor, Puyi, one individual stood out amidst the chaos – the last surviving concubine, Li Yuqin. Born into a middle-class family in 1928, her life took an unexpected turn when she was summoned to the palace at the tender age of 14.
Initially under the impression that she was there for an education, she soon realized her fate was intricately tied to the emperor himself. Her journey from a commoner’s life to the confines of the palace was far from voluntary.
Nevertheless, her recollections paint a picture of a kind-hearted emperor who, despite their age gap, treated her with compassion. Her role as a noble lady in the palace came with privileges and mysteries that were never explicitly revealed.
As World War II came to a close, the imperial court’s existence crumbled. Puyi’s sudden departure left Li Yuqin stranded. They endured hardship, including imprisonment and the challenge of reintegration into a now communist society after their release following China’s cultural revolution.
Li Yuqin’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Despite her association with the old regime, she persevered through political turmoil, eventually finding stability in her own family and even serving on a municipal advisory council.
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Top Image: Li Yuqin, China’s last Imperial concubine. Source: Unknown Author / Public Domain.
